Optical disc system using counter-rotating optical read/write assembly

ABSTRACT

A disc optics system for accessing data from one or both sides of a disc is provided with an optical read/write assembly(s) that rotates in an opposite direction as the disc. The counter-rotating optical read/write assembly includes an optical head and/or an optical transport mechanism. If the optical head is not included with the counter-rotating assembly, the optical transport mechanism can be used to transport optical data to a fixed or semi-fixed optical head.

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BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0124] As used herein, the term CDROM are defined to include all such devices, including but not limited to, compact disc, CD-ROM, WORM, DVD, DVD-RAM, CD-WO, CD-R, CD-RW, etc. In light of some higher rewing CDROM drives, there is a physical limit of speed that some drives have faced. There are reported instances of CDs shattering from the centrifugal force applied to them by high speed CDROM drives. These instances can be attributed to discrepancies and imperfections in the CDs. Whether it is via manufactured defects or wear and tear, the result is catastrophic to both the disk and the drive. There is a solution that can solve this problem in order for CDROM drives to attempt faster access speeds beyond this threshold.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0125] This invention would use a counter rotating read/write unit. In other words, if the media rotates clockwise, the read/write assembly rotates counterclockwise. If the media rotates counterclockwise, the read/write assembly rotates clockwise.This can be accomplished in three ways.

[0126] 1. Counter-rotate the laser and pickup assembly (FIG. 1).

[0127] 2. Counter-rotate a reflecting/refracting device (mirror/prism) to redirect light signals to a fixed laser and pickup assembly (FIG. 2 and FIG. 2-1).

[0128] 3. Counter-rotate an inner housing, which would include the laser and pickup assembly (FIG. 3).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0129]FIG. 1 illustrates the method of Counter-rotating the laser and pickup assembly.

[0130]FIG. 2 illustrates the method of Counter-rotating a reflecting/refracting device (mirror/prism) to redirect light signals to a fixed laser and pickup assembly.

[0131]FIG. 2-1 illustrates the method of Counter-rotating a reflecting/refracting device (mirror/prism) with a fixed radius to redirect light signals to a fixed laser and pickup assembly.

[0132]FIG. 3 illustrates the method of Counter-rotating an inner housing, which would include the laser and pickup assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0133] Counter-rotation would allow the disk to stay at a limiting RPM (revolutions per minute) that would be within the tolerance of current media and yet allow read speeds well beyond that threshold. The counter-rotation of the read/write device will be multiple for the access time. As an example, if the read/write device rotates counter-clockwise at 10,000 RPM and the disk rotates clockwise at 10,000 RPM, the opportunity to read/write would occur 20,000 times a minute or twice the speed of a conventional design at 10,000 times a minute. For simplicity, I used this example, however I envision this concept as having the read/write device spinning at a fraction of the disk speed. Although, I would not doubt technology and ingenuity could accomplish this eventually.

[0134] This single biggest hurdle for these designs, as in most, is the law of physics. This obstacle is the conservation of centrifugal force. If the weight of an object(read/write device, mirror/prism, housing, etc.) moves closer to the center of rotation, it will tend to spin faster. Alternately, if the weight moves farther from the center of rotation, it will tend to spin slower. This problem can be overcome by counter weights, software or both. In a counter weight solution, a device would extend in and out inversely to the read/write device/mirror/prism. This means if the read/write device/mirror/prism moves in, the counter weight will move out. If the read/write device/mirror/prism moves out, the counter weight will move in. This would counter any tendencies for speeding up or slowing down. The other solution is a software solution. The read/write function will accommodate for slower and faster reads and write speeds depending on the location of the read/write device/mirror/prism. This will obviously affect performance. Reads and writes near the center of the disk will be ultra fast compared to the outer disk.

[0135] Counter-rotating the laser and pickup assembly would involve mounting the laser and pickup assembly on a rotating platform. This platform will allow the laser and pickup assembly to move in and out while rotating in the opposite direction of the spinning media.

[0136] Counter-rotating a reflecting/refracting device (mirror/prism) to redirect light signals would involve a reflecting or a refracting device mounted on a rotating platform that would bounce or bend the light to and from laser mounted in a fixed point. The major hurdle would be the fact the as the mirror/prism is rotated and moved in and out, the angle of reflection/refraction is changed dramatically. This can be overcome by three ways or a combination of all. Mechanically change the direction of the mirror/prism, use fiber optics or other data transport media to capture/transmit the light to and from central location, or use a large enough mirror/prism/transport mechanism that allows a counter-spinning device with a fixed radius with the head movement solely left to fixed laser or read/write head (FIG. 2-1).

[0137] Counter-rotating an inner housing, which would include the laser and pickup assembly is a method where the entire drive unit consists of an outer housing and an inner housing. The outer housing will remain fixed, as this is the framework in which the assembly is mounted to a PC (Personal Computer) bay. The inner housing will contain the laser and pickup assembly and disk platform. This entire inner housing will counter rotate with the disk.

[0138] Of all these designs, Counter-rotate a reflecting/refracting device (mirror/prism) to redirect light signals to a fixed laser and pickup assembly (FIG. 2-1) is the most feasible, requiring less research and development resources. In this design, the Reflection/Refraction/Data transport rotates at a fixed radius. It will remove the conservation of centrifugal forces from the equation. This will also allow much faster rotational speeds with less moving parts. The Laser/Pickup Assembly, Read/Write Head pivots to access every cylinder/track. Significant gains in speed can be relatively easily achieved using this design.

[0139] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will however be evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Thus, the particular combination of parts described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only a few embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A disc optics system for accessing data from a disc, the disc optics system comprising an assembly that is counter-rotated opposite of the direction of the disc. a. The assembly includes a positioning arm and/or rails with an optical read/write head. b. The assembly also includes other devices that assist in the function accessing data such as a counter-weight assembly to counteract centrifugal forces applied to the said counter-rotating assembly and a data transport assembly that assist in reflecting and/or refracting optical data transmissions. c. Defining a disc as one or more flat, circular, disk-shaped media for storing an index (Table of Contents data) and data. Disc is used indistinguishably with disk. d. Defining an optical read/write head as comprising of a laser diode, focusing lens, reflecting mirror, photo-detector, prisms, housing and fixtures.
 2. A disc optics system for accessing data from a disc, the disc optics system comprising an assembly that is counter-rotated opposite of the direction of the disc. a. The assembly includes a positioning arm and/or rails with a data transport assembly that assists in reflecting and/or refracting optical data transmissions to a fixed or semi-fixed optical read/write head. 